Chronic intestinal ischemia and splanchnic blood-flow: reference values and correlation with body-composition

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Physiology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Splanchnic blood flow (SBF) and oxygen uptake (SO₂U) are critical physiological parameters.
• Understanding their regulation, particularly postprandially, is essential for diagnosing conditions like chronic intestinal ischemia.
• Body composition may influence splanchnic hemodynamics, but this requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure splanchnic blood flow (SBF) and oxygen uptake (SO₂U) in healthy individuals and patients.
• To investigate the relationship between SBF, SO₂U, and body composition.
• To assess the impact of a meal on these parameters and their diagnostic relevance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Fick principle with 99mTechnetium-labelled mebrofenin infusion for SBF and SO₂U measurement.
• Employed arterial and hepatic vein catheterization for indicator-dye dilution.
• Performed intestinal artery angiography and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for body composition analysis.

Main Results:

• Both healthy subjects and patients exhibited a significant postprandial increase in SBF.
• The meal-induced increase in SBF was directly correlated with body weight (P = 0.025).
• Splanchnic oxygen uptake (SO₂U) increased postprandially and was positively related to lean body mass.

Conclusions:

• A significant correlation exists between body weight and the postprandial increase in splanchnic blood flow.
• Body weight is a key factor to consider when evaluating SBF for diagnosing chronic intestinal ischemia.
• Splanchnic oxygen uptake is influenced by lean body mass, independent of age and sex.